Homeless Helpline: The Who singer donates 2014 gig microphone and urges Londoners to bid before close of auction

The Who singer Roger Daltrey is urging people to bid in the online auction for our Young and Homeless Helpline appeal — as he revealed he spent six months living in a van as a teenager.

Bidding closes at 9pm tonight. The 20 fantastic lots include a bottle of champagne signed by Daltrey to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary tour.

Today, to mark the final day of the auction, the singer added a signed microphone he used at The Who’s 2014 show at Glasgow SECC to the champagne lot.

Other prizes include a luxury five-night stay in the Maldives, a signed Arsenal shirt, a guitar signed by Craig David and the chance to go to an A-list party with the Evening Standard’s Londoner’s Diary.

Bidding in the auction, powered by Givergy, is an opportunity to give a loved-one an unforgettable Christmas gift — and support the Standard’s Christmas Appeal.

Daltrey, 72, said: “Everyone should get behind this appeal. In a city like London we need to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

"When I was 19 I lived in van when I left home and the band was just starting out.

"Luckily things worked out for me … life has been an incredible privilege.

“Things can so easily go the other way and you can have a few whacks of bad luck and end up homeless.

“I always remind myself it could be me. Everyone should think that it could be them.”

To find out more about the auction click here.

The Evening Standard's Homeless Helpline appeal is raising money for the Centrepoint Helpline, a brand new support service that will save young people from ending up on the streets.

To donate please visit our Just Giving page.